Student Regent Meaker does not deserve leadership position

Worried about your future in the job market? Most definitely, if you aren't going to be able to afford the 40-50 percent increase in tuition approved by ABOR.

Worried about corrupt CEOs stealing from your retirement fund when you finally do get a good job? People like this don't just appear out of nowhere, and we have one of our very own here at the University of Arizona. I'm referring to student ABOR member Matthew Meaker.

Many of you may not remember or may not have even been here, but this "distinguished" member of ABOR has a dirty past. Back in 1999, Matthew Meaker, then president of the RHA, was found guilty of stealing from the Residence Hall Association. Now if you do a little investigating (which most of you are too lazy or apathetic to do), you'd find out that he only stole $58 (in the form of "free" meals and long distance phone calls), so who cares? The amount he stole is unimportant. What is important is that he knowingly stole the money from everyone at the university living in the dorms that year. When asked if he knew if it was in violation of the RHA constitution, he said, "Technically, yes. At the point in time I made the mistake, I didn't see it as a mistake." So he knew stealing from RHA was a violation of the constitution but didn't see it as a mistake. Meaker evidently thought that he was above the moral ground of the constitution of the organization he was president of and saw nothing wrong with it until he was caught. Meaker prior to this comment had said, "Was I intentionally stealing from the organization as was charged? Why on God's green earth would I choose to do that?" He has already admitted to it; this is an outright lie fed to the public to invoke sympathy.

Meaker has shown his dishonesty and should be rightly punished. Four members of the RHA resigned because they refused to work with Meaker. People like Meaker strive for power in order to abuse it.

Mike Sousa
art education senior

Student Taskforce for Democracy

Not all protesters are Îhippies'; not all police actions correct

This letter is in response to the letter printed by John Patrick Mizell in Monday's Wildcat. I was one of the ones who chained myself to the Administration building last week. I'm not a hippie, however you define it. I don't smoke pot, I shower regularly and most of my clothes make me look like a big dork, not a hippie. Also, I have a PhD; I'm a researcher here on campus. I'm not sure why you assumed I subscribed a to a particular lifestyle, but you were mistaken.

Regarding the letter by Alex Chihak, on the arrest of the Tucson Citizen photographer. I was there and saw what happened. The photographer was in the process of complying with police orders to leave the building when he was wrestled to the floor and manhandled by the police. He was in no way obstructing their work or failing to comply with their orders. The police were completely out of line in arresting him, roughing him up and breaking his camera. You will soon see that the charges against him will be dropped because the event was caught on videotape, and it is clear that it is the police who were in the wrong.

Rachel Wilson
infant speech perception laboratory

Peace activists are organized, won't stop activism during war

In regard to the Monday letter written by John Patrick Mizell ÷ there are many facets to organizing. Organizers choose tactics depending on the situation. What you see in the media is just an inkling of what really happens in organizing. People dedicate countless hours not just in preparing for an action (leaflets, people, media, coordinating, etc.), but also to educate and outreach outside of direct action.

Look at the peace activists. The campaign involves more than just huge protests but includes forums, teach-ins, books, etc. Furthermore, the end of one protest doesn't mean the end of the organizing or campaign.

And especially if Bush decides to go to war; the peace activists won't shrug their shoulders and say, "Oh well. Maybe we can prevent the next one." They're going to struggle that much more to end the war.

Finally, just a personal question to Mr. Mizell and to those who share his opinion: As someone who has admitted that there is good reason to protest the tuition hike and Focused Excellence, what have you been doing to organize against these proposals (now fact) and for a future you believe in? If you can't answer that, maybe you should reconsider who you call "slacker."

Amy Hagemeier
studio art senior

Article should have said that Bill Walton speech not for students

I have been a fan of Wildcat basketball since 1997. I have been a fan of Luke Walton since my junior year of high school. So, imagine my excitement when I see the Friday headline "Luke's dad speaks at new union." Though I am not the biggest fan of the elder Walton, how many people can say that they have met Bill Walton? Now, imagine my disappointment when a friend and I get there in T-shirts and jeans (along with another handful of students also in jeans) and see that the people surrounding Bill Walton are in suits and dresses. My friend and I, along with the other students, were only allowed to watch from the bookstore windows. The article failed to mention that Mr. Walton was speaking for the Arizona Board of Regents. The way the article was written implied that students were allowed to watch, and that was obviously not the case. In the future, please be sure to mention such important information as Board of Regents only.

Elizabeth Demar
journalism freshman